VINCE GILL TO SERENADE AT SOUTHEAST HOMECOMING

Vince Gill is a rarity, a superstar singer whose guitar playing is admired almost as much as his singing.

Gill will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at the Show Me Center along with Jo Dee Messina to celebrate Homecoming at Southeast Missouri State University.

A former sideman with The Bluegrass Alliance and Byron Berline's Sundance, Gill came to national attention in 1979 as lead singer on the country rock band Pure Prairie League's hit single "Let Me Love You Tonight" and later on "Still Right Here in my Heart."

After Pure Prairie League, Gill resumed working as a sideman with the Cherry Bombs, backing Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash, and later touring with Emmylou Harris.

His string of hits as a solo performer began in 1990 with "When I Call Your Name" and thus far has included such tunes as "Liza Jane," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away," "One More Last Chance" and "What the Cowgirls Do."

His latest album, "The Key," honors the memory of his late father.

Messina put together her first band at 16 and recently was honored with the Country Music Association Horizon Award as the best new talent on the block.

Her hit, "Lesson in Leavin'," is at number 8 on the Billboard chart.